Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Still Learning: Covid Through The Eyes Of A Medical Student, Alexis Strahan

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

As a first-year medical student when the COVID-19 pandemic found a foothold, I felt an overwhelming amount of emotions that accompanied the pandemic’s spread. Fear, although a reasonable choice, was not the first emotion that I experienced. In fact, it was a general feeling of paralysis. I had not six months prior taken an oath to commit my career and life to the service of the public’s health care needs, yet I could provide little more than the textbook knowledge of biochemistry or genetics from my first semester of learning. My hands felt unarmed and unskilled for the fight. What …

Covid-19: Race For Vaccine, L. Hayley Burgess, Jason J. Braithwaite, Emily Singleton, Aaron M. Young, Mandelin K. Cooper

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The world is in the midst of a pandemic from COVID-19, a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Despite broad mitigation efforts, new cases continue with 74 million cases and 1.6 million deaths worldwide. Regardless of previous research efforts, there is no commercially available vaccine for any coronavirus. Novel vaccine development has historically taken at least 10 years from discovery to availability with only a 6% market entry probability.

With the global impact, there is an urgency to expedite a vaccine to protect the population. The U.S. government launched Operation Warp Speed with the goal to produce and deliver 300 …

Importance Of Awareness Of Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Heather Ellis, Hale Z. Toklu

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Health care professionals hold the responsibility of reporting any adverse drug reactions in order to learn about new therapy and how best to safely care for our patients. The information derived from case publications and FDA MedWatch reports are essential to accumulate information and increase awareness for the possible risks of new drugs.

“Sampark Snehi”: Telemedicine Consultation In Covid-19 Times At A Private Medical College Hospital – Digitalised Solution, Vijetha Belle

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Every life is precious and every patient matters: In a country with 5.5 government beds for 10,000 population, even a marginal increase in hospitalization increases the pressure on the system exponentially. The spread of COVID-19 has kindled the need for transformation from traditional face-to-face doctorpatient communication to a telehealth platform. During the lockdown, reduced access to both outpatient and hospitalization services is proving to be fatal for countless non-covid patients. Taking lead in addressing the health care needs and demands of the society we cater to, E-consultation which has been initiated by most of the medical colleges providing tertiary care, …

The 21st Century Global Digital Economies Revolution And The Aftermath Of Covid-19 Pandemic: Some Anticipated Implication Changes For Developing Nations, Agyei Fosu

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

The 21^st century digital global economies era changed developmental approaches drastically to a point where most researchers, policy makers, and developers have asserted that to achieve economic development for developing nations; it is paramount for Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) investments in all sectors contributing to their economy. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the various measures taken by governments such as lockdown, curfew, companies asking employees to work from home, and the use of e-learning by schools to curb the disease brings into perspective the assertion raised by various scholars about the need for developing nations to invest in …

Let Nutrition Be Your Vaccine Amid Covid-19- A Narrative Review, Vidya Rajesh

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

There has been a growing body of evidence highlighting the radical effect of nutrition on the immune system and disease susceptibility. The current COVID-19 crisis awakens an urgent calling for optimum nutrition which boosts immunity and prevents diseases, just like a vaccine. Though there have been several national guidelines regarding diet during COVID-19, there has been sparse research and literature available in this field. This review aims to summarise the existing evidence on various aspects of nutrition and immunity pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis. Literature and search strategy included PubMed and Google Scholar for articles on various aspects of nutrition …

Community Engagement In Covid-19 Responses: Evidence From Qualitative Interface With Community Opinion Leaders In Enugu, Nigeria, Prince Agwu, Chinweoke Methodius Ugwu, Chidera Florence Eke

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Successful stories of community engagement existed during the Ebola disease outbreak in Liberia, indicating that a combination of government and community efforts are needed in addressing pandemics or epidemics. However, for communities to rise to the challenge of containing and combatting the spread of any disease, they must be communicated most effectively and supported by the government. Therefore, our study investigates how applicable successful community engagement has been in the charge against the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria. Through telephone interviews, we sourced data from 12 community opinion leaders in Enugu State, Nigeria. After conducting a thematic analysis of …

Potential Of Jamu In Nanotechnology Perspective As An Alternative Treatment For Covid-19, Dhadhang Wahyu Kurniawan, Azis Ikhsanudin

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

The world seems to be recovering at this time, especially because of the 2019 global coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) caused by the Coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2). This virus is similar to other β-coronaviruses through several steps to enter and bind angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the main receptor. This binding, particularly in the respiratory epithelium and alveoli of the lungs, affects harmony in human host cells. No specific vaccines and antivirals are available to date as drug investigations are still ongoing. However, many Indonesians consume herbal medicine, especially 'empon-empon' containing the Zingiberaceae family, to protect their health from COVID-19. So …

An Australian Conundrum: Genomic Technology, Data, And The Covidsafe App, David Morrison, Patrick T. Quirk

Pace International Law Review

This paper examines the difficulties that have arisen in Australia in the use of its contact-tracing app. We examine the privacy implications around the use of the app, the wider economic imperative, and the balancing of those concerns against the health threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. We posit that default options are superior in times of emergency and rather than begging for the adoption of lifesaving technology, we suggest that the evidence gathered by behavioral economists provides an apposite and powerful alternative worthy of consideration.

Covid-19 & Pregnancy Complication During Early Pandemic: A Narrative Review, Ahmed A. Eladely, Maria Hill, Ahmed Abdelhaleem, Zahid Imran, Ahsan M. Khan, Daisy Sangroula

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: Coronaviruses have caused three outbreaks in the past two decades. The novel one is SARS-COV-2, which causes COVID-19. Pregnant women have a somewhat altered immune state, which may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications. Extensive research is needed to better understand the clinical course of COVID-19 in this population. This review article discusses the comparison of SARS-CoV-2 with previous coronavirus outbreaks, clinical presentations, and complications in pregnant women and newborns.

Methods: We conducted a literature search for case series and case reports about pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 during the early phase of pandemic. …

The Case Of A Pregnant Woman With Ards Due To Covid-19 Treated With Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, And Remdesivir And Delivery Of A Healthy Baby During Mechanical Ventilation Through Cesarean Section, Adria Madera-Acosta, Martin Gnoni, Bassman Tappuni, Monika Sadlak, Ravleen Grewal, Angel Mena, Yousef Ali-Ahwel

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

We are in the midst of a pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2. Pregnancy was identified among the risk factors for worse clinical outcomes in multiple studies. The optimal therapy in this group of patients remains to be defined. Here, we present the case of a 39-year-old Caucasian pregnant female at 31 weeks of gestation, who was treated successfully with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, remdesivir, prone therapy, and cesarean delivery of a healthy baby while on mechanical ventilation. She remained SARS-CoV-2-positive until the 39th day of hospitalization. We discuss the pathophysiology of the increased risk of infections during pregnancy and particularly the high risk …

Implementation Of The University Of Louisville Covid-19 Biorepository: Experiences From The Center Of Excellence In Infectious Diseases (Cerid), Dawn Balcom, Leslie A Wolf, Subathra Marimuthu, William Johnson, Danial Malik, Chet Dhakal, Pavani Nathala, Mohammed Abbas, Sahaj Hardeep Singh, Basel Haddad, Rafik Elbeblawy, Fnu Deepti, Ahmed Ali, Evelyn Exposito Gonzalez, Ruth Carrico

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

The limited availability of biological samples from patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 for future research was quickly identified at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this need, a COVID-19 biobank was initiated by the University of Louisville Division of Infectious Diseases, Center of Excellence for Research in Infectious Diseases (CERID). The COVID-19 biobank contains waste samples obtained from patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in any of the nine Louisville, Kentucky, area hospitals during the timeframe of April 13 to September 20, 2020. The COVID-19 biobank stores approximately 1,623 waste samples with 2,127 aliquots for distribution. All samples are …

Assessing The Vulnerability Of Monterey Bay Area Seniors To Covid-19, Ethan A. Quaranta, Gerhard L. Gross

Culture, Society, and Praxis

This paper assesses the vulnerability of seniors residing in the Monterey Bay Tri-County Region to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to weakened immune systems, seniors are the most at-risk members of our community to COVID-19, and have a death rate that is three times higher than the overall death rate to COVID-19. Using standard ambulance response times from each hospital throughout the area, our objective is to determine what proportion of Tri-County seniors aged 65 and over, including those who are in nursing homes, are living independently, and cannot afford health care, were within an adequate travel time to the hospital. …

Torts: Covid-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act & Executive Order By The Governor Designating Auxiliary Management Workers And Emergency Management Activities, Angelena Velaj, Troy Viger

Georgia State University Law Review

The Executive Order expanded immunity from liability for volunteer health care workers as emergency management workers performing emergency management activities. The Order was not limited to only COVID-19-related activities. When the legislature reconvened, legislators passed the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, which provided liability limitation to businesses against tort claims arising from the pandemic.

Shelter In Place: Executive Order By The Governor To Ensure A Safe & Healthy Georgia, Preston A. Dunaway, Graham H. Gordon

Georgia State University Law Review

The Order required all visitors and residents of Georgia to practice social distancing in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines; prohibited businesses in Georgia from allowing groups of more than ten people to gather at any single location; imposed a mandatory shelter-in-place requirement for all visitors and residents of Georgia except for essential workers, as defined within the Order; and laid out guidelines for how businesses would operate during the quarantine. Further, the Order limited restaurant services and closed certain businesses, including gyms and bowling alleys. The Order also superseded all local Orders purporting to regulate …

Preemption: Executive Order By The Governor To Ensure A Safe & Healthy Georgia, Marisa P. Ahlzadeh, Fanny Chac

Georgia State University Law Review

The doctrine of preemption expresses the idea that “a higher authority of law will displace a lower authority of law when the two authorities come into conflict.” Preemption exists on both the federal and state level. According to the Georgia Constitution, local laws are permissible if they do not conflict with the state law on the subject. During a Public Health State of Emergency, the Governor of Georgia maintains certain expanded powers to take necessary action for the health and safety of the public. On April 2, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp (R) used these expanded powers to enact an Executive …

Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act Of 1996: Health & Public Welfare, Erin L. Hayes, Kathryn A. Vance

Georgia State University Law Review

The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (“Privacy Rule”) establish a standard for the use and protection of individuals’ health information and apply to certain covered entities or their business associates. Covered entities may only disclose an individual’s protected health information in limited situations. Covered entities or individuals that fail to comply with the Privacy Rule standards may be subject to civil or criminal penalties.

Bioethics: Ethical Considerations Of Ventilator Triage During A Pandemic, Susannah J. Gleason, William J. Keegan

Georgia State University Law Review

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across the country faced unprecedented volumes of patients seeking treatment related to the respiratory complications of the virus. As a result, states were forced to reassess existing scarce resource allocation guidelines to appropriately accommodate the high demand. This Peach Sheet analyzes the ethical considerations implicated in enacting and following these guidelines when treating patients, specifically in the context of ventilator triage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Collaborative Approach To Reduce The Spread Of Covid-19 In A Large Urban Hospital In South Florida, David Schneider, Roberto L. Roman Laporte

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

The novel Coronavirus has proven challenging for many healthcare organizations. Hospitals are pressed to secure sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of their healthcare personnel and various strategies have been implemented to stop the spread of the virus. There are still many unknowns about COVID-19 and hospitals are rapidly adapting to new information while trying to maintain the safety and wellbeing of healthcare personnel. Baptist Hospital of Miami developed a collaborative data driven plan to monitor, disseminate vital information, and implement various strategies to protect employees and patients during the pandemic.

Crimes And Offenses: Proposed Constitutional Carry Act Of 2019 & Executive Order By The Governor Temporarily Extending Renewal Requirements For Weapons Carry Licenses, Kristin Harripaul, Briana A. James

Georgia State University Law Review

In March 2020, Governor Brian Kemp (R) issued an Executive Order declaring a Public Health State of Emergency due to COVID-19. The Supreme Court of Georgia also issued a Judicial Order declaring a Statewide Judicial Emergency. The Council of Probate Court Judges subsequently characterized the processing of weapons carry licenses as non-essential and temporarily suspended license issuances to limit the spread of COVID-19. HB 2 would have eliminated the license requirement and the need for probate judges to process applications. However, HB 2 never received a hearing before the 2019–20 legislative session ended. Gun rights advocates called on Governor Kemp …

Elections: Elections And Primaries Through The Pandemic, Joseph M. Brickman, Logan D. Kirkes

Georgia State University Law Review

The 2020 election cycle was all but normal. Due to certain health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia delayed its primary election three months from March to June and summarily mailed absentee ballot request forms to all active, registered voters. From presidential social media postings to a federal lawsuit, debate ensued over the widespread usage of absentee ballots, their overall effectiveness and security, who would receive request forms, and whether postage requirements qualified as an impermissible poll tax. To further compound these uncertainties, Georgia legislators, who are not permitted to fundraise or campaign during the forty-day legislative session, had …

Mandatory Quarantine: Administrative Order By The Georgia Department Of Public Health For Public Health Control Measures: Isolation Protocol, Matthew C. Daigle, Carissa L. Lavin

Georgia State University Law Review

The Administrative Order for Public Health Control Measures and its subsequent amendments outlined the Isolation and Quarantine Protocols for individuals who either tested positive for COVID-19 or were suspected of COVID-19 infection based on symptoms or prolonged exposure to the virus.

A Collaborative Effort To Establish A Convalescent Plasma Program In South Florida, Roberto L. Roman Laporte, Edwina Brathwaite

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

On March 11, 2020, Miami-Dade County had its first diagnosed case of COVID-19 and quickly became the top hotspot of COVID-19 cases in Florida. Hospitals were challenged to find effective treatments to combat the virus. A collaborative effort between Doctors Hospital and Boca Raton Regional Hospital established a robust convalescent plasma program for critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19 within Baptist Health South Florida.

Innovative Strategies To Support Mental Wellbeing, Victoria Y. Mccue

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected many people’s mental wellbeing. COVID-19 has led healthcare organizations to reconceptualize and reform healthcare through an innovative lens that will foster resilience. Finding strategies to support mental wellbeing, especially for frontline clinicians, is crucial to ensure a comprehensive recovery. This manuscript describes innovative strategies implemented within one healthcare organization in the Southeastern United States to nurture mental wellbeing for the community and frontline healthcare clinicians.

The Outstanding Service Of A Nurse Supervisor During Covid-19, Judy Bowling

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Nurses are heroes but are often hesitant to use this title. Nurses stand at the center of the public health crises with the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrating courage, bravery, knowledge, and commitment, often putting themselves in harms’ way while caring for and guarding their patients. Nurses respond to the call to care at every level, from the direct care nurses in hospitals to board members shaping national policies. One special category of nurses on the front line, administrative nursing supervisors, are experienced and dedicated nurses who exemplify the finest characteristics of nurses. This article relates the exploits of one nursing supervisor …

A Drive-Thru Anticoagulation Testing Clinic During Covid-19 Pandemic, Tina Hyman, Nohemi Sadule Rios, Robert P. Ramirez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

As COVID-19 started to spread rapidly in their community, a team of nurses at South Miami Hospital initiated a drive-thru anticoagulation testing process to provide safe access to care for patients on anticoagulation therapy, requiring Internationalized Ratio (INR) testing. This article describes the implementation of a drive-thru anticoagulation testing process and implications for best practices during a pandemic crisis.

A Healthcare Organization’S Response To Challenges During A Pandemic, Debora O'Cathey, Judy Bowling

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

The pandemic of 2020 has added many new challenges for healthcare organizations. Front-line nurses have borne the brunt of these challenges and were tested as never before to deliver excellent patient care during such arduous time. This story details the efforts of one hospital to rise above the chaos and overcome the challenges presented during this time.

Promoting Positive Birth Experiences: Supporting Pregnant And Lactating Women During The Covid-19 Crisis, Marina Baig, Shelina Bhamani, Zohra Kurji, Lumaan Sheikh, Rozina Karmaliani

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, in January 2020. While international organizations and governments strive to strengthen the world’s emergency response mechanism to combat the pandemic, the public in general faces anxiety and fear. One of the most vulnerable groups is pregnant and lactating women. The pandemic has given rise to many apprehensions about the state of their health and well-being as well as that of their unborn or newly born child. A live Facebook session was conducted by a group of experts from a private university in Karachi, Pakistan, …

First Amendment: Executive Order By The Governor Limiting Large Gatherings Statewide, Alex N. Estroff, Boris W. Gautier

Georgia State University Law Review

Beginning in March 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) issued a series of Executive Orders addressing the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in these Orders was a prohibition on large groups of people gathering in a single location. Though an effective means of curtailing the virus’s rapid transmission, this specific provision became a source of controversy for groups who believed such a prohibition infringed upon their First Amendment rights.

Public Health State Of Emergency: Executive Order By The Governor Declaring A Public Health State Of Emergency, Rebecca Hu, Ellen Y. Min

Georgia State University Law Review

The Executive Order primarily functions to enumerate the Governor’s emergency powers during a Public Health State of Emergency. The Executive Order allows for the Governor to assist health and emergency management officials by deploying available resources for the mitigation and treatment of COVID-19 within Georgia.